FAQ

FAQ

For the convenience of our customers, we’ve decided to answer some of the questions we hear most often. We’ve broken these questions up into groups according to the service offered. Please take a look and if you have any other questions, feel free to call us Monday-Friday 9am-7pm (PST) at 1-877-FILM-2-DVD (1-877-345-6238).

General

How long does it take to process my order?

Our standard turnaround times range from 1 day to 2 weeks on average, depending on the type and amount of media you need converted. We understand that you will want you order finished as quickly as possible. We complete each order in a timely manner with the highest regard for the quality of the order. When placing your order you will be given an estimated due date and we will call you when your order is completed. Rush service is available for every type of order for $30 or 30% of the cost, whichever is greater. For holiday rush orders and orders that need to be completed in less than 24 hours the cost is $50 or 50%, whichever is greater. For rush orders we will move your order to the front of the queue and even stay after hours at night to get your project done.

What type of media do you record to?

We record to CD, DVD-R and external hard drive. We can also use thumb drives, memory cards, and other media sources if needed for certain projects.

The DVDs we use are 100 year archival Taiyo Yuden premium line DVD-R. These are regarded industry-wide as one of the most compatible and longest lasting DVDs in the world. Data written on the DVD-R discs is permanent. DVD-R discs are compatible with more than 95% of the DVD players on the market and are supported by the largest number of manufacturers (this percentage is growing every day).

Why are DVDs a good medium for preserving media?

DVDs are less susceptible to environment changes than older video tapes or images. Also DVD discs do not degrade when you play them even on the 1000th time. (Just try not to scratch or touch the flat surface of the disc). Also copies of DVDs do not suffer a loss of clarity as analog media does. DVDs are easier to play at high speeds and you don’t have to fast-forward or rewind them. Lastly, one DVD is easier to store than one video cassette or 1000 photos or slides.

How do I know a DVD-R will play in my DVD player?

Most of the newer DVD players should be able to play a DVD-R disc even if that feature is not listed. Some older players (older than 2004) may not play the disc perfectly. In the case that your player will not play the discs we make for you, we will copy your data onto a different type or brand of DVD. If that doesn't work we will purchase a DVD player for you that will play the original. We feel it is our responsibility for the DVDs we create to work with your hardware.

If you’re making a DVD for a slideshow presentation, please ask us for a demo disc that you can try out in your DVD player. If the demo disc works, then the DVDs we make for you will too.

Here’s a link to a searchable database of DVD players from different manufacturers that you can check for compatibility with our DVD-R discs:

Will a DVD-R play in my computer?

Your computer needs to have a DVD drive and for video you need to have DVD player software installed.

Do you have a quality guarantee?

We actually have two types of guarantees. Our compatibility guarantee assures you that we will do whatever it takes to make your DVD playable in your home (if you already had a DVD player), even if that means copying your material again or even buying you a brand new DVD player. Our quality guarantee assures you that we will do our best to make your transfer look as good as, if not better than, your original media. If there is any inconsistency between your original media and your digital media we will fix the problem with rush order status.

What is the best way to place my order?

If you are local you can just come in. If you have a video-tape transfer order you don’t need to make an appointment. If you have any questions or have a film, slideshow, or image scanning order we would appreciate an appointment, or at least a call before you come in so that we can help you as quickly as possible. You can call your local store to make an appointment or call our company line at 1-877-FILM 2 DVD (1-877-345-6238).

If you are not local and wish to mail your materials, we happily accept mail in orders in any of our local stores. You can find an easy shipping form to generate a FedEx packing label and packing slip that you can print out and send in along with your order through our shipping page: http://www.dvdyourmemories.com/shipping-your-memories. Once received, we will give you a call to go over the final details with you before we start to process your order.

What types of payment do you accept?

Can I find out the cost before placing my order?

Yes. We can give you a very good idea of cost before you decide to place your order, whether you call, email, or stop by. The only format that is hard to pin down is “reel to reel” or “open reel” audio, which is because there are so many variables which determine the recording length

Do you keep a copy of my order in case I need another copy later?

On most types of orders we keep a copy of your order for at least 30 days. We do not keep copies of video to DVD projects.

If needed, we can hold onto your project for longer, just ask your local technician.

Image Scanning

What is the typical turnaround time for image scanning?

The time it takes to process your image scanning order depends on the number of images being transferred. Typically you can expect 5-10 business days for a standard order. We always write down an estimated due date when you place your order and you will be notified when your order is complete.

What is the best way to view my slides prior to having them digitized?

There are a number of ways to view your slides. There are many inexpensive “slide viewers” on the market where you would put each slide into a device that will magnify it. There are also “light boxes” that you can purchase. A light box is exactly as it sounds: a box with light coming out of the top. You can lay out your slides on the top of the box to view them more easily. Remember that after the digitization process it is very easy to categorize your slides by moving the files into different folders.

How many slides/photos/negatives can fit on one data DVD?

The answer to this question depends on many factors including the file format, resolution, magnification, color bit depth, etc. For basic transfers a DVD will hold about 900 slides or negatives and 2000 photos.

Can you touch-up my images when you transfer them?

Yes. We have a manual color correction for images that have faded over time. Please ask to see an example when you bring in your order.

What type of photos can you scan?

We can scan all photos sizes up to 12.2? x 17.2?.

What types of slides can you scan?

We can scan 35mm, 110, 120, 220, 126 and 127mm slide formats.

What types of negatives can you scan?

We can scan 35mm, APS, 110, 120, 220, 126 and 127mm, and disc film negative formats.

Video Tape Transfer

How many hours of video can go onto one DVD?

Two hours and four minutes of video will fit onto one DVD.

If my movies are transferred to DVD can I edit them on my home computer?

The simple answer is no. The complete answer is yes, almost anything is possible if you are an advanced computer user, but for many reasons it is not advised to do so. The main reason is that you would be working with highly compressed video.

If you transfer the data from the DVD to the computer for editing, the quality is not the same as that of the originally uncompressed video used to create the DVD. It also takes a lot of processing power to edit the compressed video, and although you can fix this problem by converting it to a less compressed video format (such as AVI), you will still see a quality loss. Also when you re-render that video that has previously been on a DVD it will re-compress again and you will notice more than a little loss of detail.

**At DVD Your Memories we can and have edited from a finalized DVD for certain projects where no other media is available. Please just call us if you have further questions about this.

What if I want to review each of my tapes before giving them to you to transfer?

At this time we do not rent out our machines for customer to view their tapes. The main reason for this is that some of the decks we use cost up to $2000. Fortunately, at the time of order we ask a series of questions which usually negates the need for customer viewing. Here are some important points to remember:

If there is a blank tape, we do not charge anything and we do not transfer it.

We also ask if you want TV shows recorded. If you chose for us not to record any television shows that might be on your tape then we will copy all the footage up to when a television show starts and nothing after that.

Can you combine multiple video tapes onto one DVD, and does it cost extra?

Yes, we can combine multiple tapes onto one DVD and there is no difference in price for this service. However we don’t usually recommend this practice for a few reasons. Remember that: a maximum of 2 hours will fit on one DVD, so if your tapes average one hour or more it would not be possible to combine. Also, if you don’t know the exact timeline of your tapes, it is best not to combine tapes because it gets confusing when the material on one DVD skips around in years.

What if I need some editing done on my video tapes?

No problem. We can transfer your videos onto external hard drives that allow for editing.

What types of video tapes can you transfer?

We can transfer VHS, VHS-C, Hi8, 8mm, Video8, Digital8, MiniDV, HDV, MiniDVD, MicroMV, and Betamax I, II, and III consumer formats. We can also transfer professional formats including Betacam and 3/4? U-Matic.

Can you transfer PAL video tapes to DVD?

Yes, we can transfer PAL/SECAM VHS and VHS-C tapes to NTSC or PAL DVDs.

Film Transfer

When transferring movies, what frame rate(s) do you use?

We use 15, 18, and 24 frames per second for capturing. The rate is determined by the type of film (regular 8, super 8, 16mm, 16mm with sound). We capture directly into a computer so it is perfectly synchronized. We also have some examples of our quality if you would like to view them.

Can I rent a film viewer to preview my movies before they are transferred?

At this time we don’t rent out any type of film viewer. However we do have an option which will allow editing of the film footage after it has been transferred in order to take out segments, move different clips around and much more.

How many feet of film can fit onto one DVD?

Can you add background music to my order?

Yes, we can add stock music or you can bring in a CD of your favorite music and we’ll put that behind your video.

Can you transfer film with sound?

Yes. In fact we are one of the few companies anywhere than can transfer film with sound flicker-free. Most companies do not transfer the sound that comes with the film, and the few that do may do it, but with a flicker (flicker is not good). DVD Your Memories is committed to the highest quality and will not settle for anything less.

Do you enhance the color of my movies?

Yes. Every step in the process of film transfer helps to enhance the final images. Cleaning the film will help with getting most of the dust and other particles out of the way. Our competitive service is probably better than most services out there for film transfer. Our premium level of film transfer is virtually unbeatable for adjusting brightness and color balancing (we say “virtually” because we just haven’t found anyone out there that can compete with this level of service).

What if my film smells like vinegar or has a white powder on it?

This is common symptom of older film. Even if your film smells awful, most of the time it can still be transferred. If your film has curled over and smells like vinegar then there is a chance that the images are unrecoverable without scanning each frame individually. Best thing to do is bring it in and we’ll see what we can do. There is no charge for attempting to recover film.

How is my film cleaned?

The film is cleaned while rotated onto a secondary reel. Different cleaning methods are used depending on the type of film and the condition it is in. We also check for breaks or bad splices at this time. Repairs are made and there is no additional cost for this. Film may be spliced onto 400? reels in the order you specify. The cleaning process is something that takes about the same amount of time as the actual transferring and why we generally ask for 2 weeks to complete your order.

How do I know how many feet of film I have?

Usually a 3? diameter reel holds about 50 ft. A 5? reel holds 200 ft. A 7? reel holds 400 ft. If you have a box of film that reads 25 ft., it may actually contain 50ft. This type of film was recorded on 2 sides and then split during the processing. Please see our film reels estimation chart.

Audio Transfer

What type of audio media can you transfer?

We can transfer 33s, 45s, 78s, audio cassette, microcassette, 1/4 inch reel to reel recorded at 1 7/8 inches per second (IPS), 3 3/4 IPS, 7 1/2 IPS, 15 IPS, 30 IPS, and also audio from any of the video formats we transfer.

Do I get my media back when you are done?

Yes, you receive everything you left with us back when you pick up your order.

Can you make a copy of a commercially produced tape?

So long as you are not trading, selling, or giving away a commercially produced media that you have purchased, you are allowed under the “Fair Use” provision in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law to make a copy for personal use.

Why transfer your treasured audio recordings to CD?

The short answer? Usability and preservation. After you digitize your media, you can easily load it into your computer, your iPod/MP3 player, use it in editing projects, etc. You also stop the continual degradation of your media.

Even though some older formats were intended for long term storage and playback, in most cases they are not stored in such a way that prevents breakdown. Also, when you play back the media, it makes physical contact with the playback device that is reading it. This “wears away” the information, and over time, multiple playbacks will deteriorate the quality very noticeably. When they begin to deteriorate, the information on the media becomes harder for the playback device to interpret properly. That’s why you get pops, hissing, clicks, etc. These things usually distract you from the original recording, and make it more difficult to enjoy.

We can record the audio as it is now on great quality equipment to help reduce the quality loss, and put the recording onto a high quality Taiyo Yuden CD. This CD will maintain the same quality over time, and because you are using a laser to read the CD, you can theoretically play it back millions of times without losing any quality. You can also have us restore the quality of the original, removing pops, hissing, clicks, and the rest as much as possible to virtually turn back the clock and let you enjoy your recordings much closer to “just purchased” quality. Because of how audio signals work, we may not be able to remove every pop and click, but the finished product will be much better than the media you brought in.

What is your process for audio transfers?

When you bring in (or send) your recordings to us, they stay here! One of our commitments to you is keeping everything local with as much control over your transfers as possible. That means doing them ourselves! We will never mail anything without your request to do so.

We use our high quality equipment to transfer your media to our computers, where we can turn it into an audio CD, MP3 CD, do restoration work, or send it over to our editing department if you plan on using it for a slideshow. All of your CDs will be labeled directly on the disc (no stickers) as you specify so that you can easily identify them later, and they will be put into a clear plastic slim DVD case for protection and storage.

Can you fix a skipping record?

The short answer is “Yes.” Keep in mind though, a skipping record is due to warping or scratches, and depending on the severity of the warp or scratch, removing it entirely and have it blend unnoticeable into the recording may not be possible. If the scratch is very deep, the audio signal is simply not there anymore, and there will be noticeable gaps as the recording progresses. In these cases, we recommend looking for another copy that is better quality (which may be cheaper after all is said and done to transfer). This service is performed on “edit time” 1/2 hourly rate of $40.

What if my LP is cracked or missing a piece?

This really depends on the crack or missing piece. Bring it in and we’ll evaluate the possibilities at no charge.

Can you fix a broken tape?

Yes, we can fix broken tapes for $30. This charge is ONLY charged if you request a repair, and even then, only if we can successfully transfer the media afterwards. This charge covers opening up the cassette casing, splicing 1-3 broken pieces, and putting it into a new casing if necessary. If the repair requires more complex or detailed work than that described previously, we’ll be happy to give an estimate before any work is done or charged.

I’d like to have sensitive material transferred. Do you respect my privacy?

Of course! Our customer’s privacy is important to us, so we normally only review the recordings for quality and track separation, if required. If you are nervous about sensitive information, let us know and we can even go so far as do the transfer without ever even hearing the audio.

How long will this process take?

Recordings are transferred in real time, meaning if you have a two hour tape, it takes us two hours just to do the transfer process. Analyzing, any additional editing, burning, and labeling all take extra time. Because we take in so many orders, most orders will take several days for us to get to them in the queue. If you need a transfer done right away, we do offer a rush service at $30 or 30% of the order, whichever is greater. This service puts you in the front of the line and we can most often get your order done the same day you place it.

How is the cost of transfers arrived at?

Well, there are several factors. The length of the tape is a great determiner of price because it dictates the amount of time the transfer will take. We also take into consideration the complexity of the process, special skills and knowledge required to transfer the tapes, and the rarity of the equipment. We understand that in many cases, the average “going rate” for transfers by our competition are much higher than what people consider economical, which is why we also heavily consider what seems fair to you!

Blu-ray Transfer

What is Blu-ray?

Blu-ray Disc (BD) often referred to as just “Blu-ray” is the name of the new format designed to replace DVD. The format was developed primarily for the new high-definition media revolution, as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers as much as 5X the storage capacity of traditional DVDs, it can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc.

Why the name Blu-ray?

The name Blu-ray stems from the technology involved in the process of writing the information to the disc. The laser used to write the information to the disc is blue-violet. The name is a combination of "Blue" (blue-violet laser) and "Ray" (optical ray). According to the Blu-ray Disc Association the spelling of "Blu-ray" is not a mistake, the character "e" was intentionally left out so the term could be registered as a trademark.

The correct full name is “Blu-ray Disc” (not Disk)
The shortened name is Blu-ray, not Blu-Ray (incorrect capitalization) or Blue-ray (incorrect spelling)
The correct abbreviation is BD or BD-R for writeable discs or BD-RE for re-writable discs

Who developed Blu-ray?

The Blu-ray Disc format was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers, with more than 180 member companies from all over the world. The Board of Directors currently consists of:

How much video can you fit on a Blu-ray disc?

Over 2 hours of high-definition (HD) video on a 25GB disc.
About 11 hours of standard-definition (SD) video on a 25GB disc.

Will Blu-ray replace DVDs?

Eventually, yes. Many movie studios are releasing their films in high-definition on Blu-ray disc.
DVDs will still be around for a long time, our DVD’s are 100 year archival so they will be around even longer! When HDTVs become more widespread Blu-ray will be the main format.

Will my Blu-ray player work with DVD Your Memories Blu-ray discs?

The Blu-ray discs we produce here are BD-R, most new players support the BD-R disc type. You can find a list of compatible BD-R players here:

Will Blu-ray players be backwards compatible with DVD?

Yes, several leading consumer electronics companies have created products that can play CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs using a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical head, so if you have any of these formats they will play on “most” players. In fact, most of the Blu-ray players coming out will support up-scaling of DVDs to 1080p/1080i, so your existing DVD collection will look even better. While it's up to each manufacturer to decide if they want to make their products backwards compatible with DVD, the format is far too popular to not be supported. The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) expects every Blu-ray Disc device to be backward compatible with DVDs.

Why should I upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray?

The simple answer is High-Definition. If you've ever seen high-definition (HD) video on an HDTV, then you know just how incredibly sharp the picture is and how vivid the colors are. In fact, High-Defintion offers 5X times the amount of detail compared to standard-definition (SD) video. The problem with DVDs is that they only support Standard-Definition and don't have the necessary storage capacity or data transfer rate to satisfy the needs of HD. That's where Blu-ray comes in, it offers up to 50GB of storage capacity and enables playback, recording and rewriting of Hight-Definition video for all of the HD resolutions up to 1080p. Blu-ray also supports high-definition audio formats and lossless audio.

What about Blu-ray for PCs?

BD-R optical drives will be able to access and use our Blu-ray discs. With the support of the worlds two largest PC manufacturers, HP and Dell, it's very likely that the technology will be adopted as the next-generation optical disc format for PC data storage and replace technologies such as DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM.

Quality Guarantees

What is the Compatibility Guarantee?

We guarantee that your DVD movie will work in your home DVD player or we will go to great lengths, including recopying your media or purchasing a new player to make sure that you can play your DVD.

What is the Data Warranty?

We will guarantee that the DVDs (data or movie) we sell will last for 100 years. If your DVD stops working before that time we will gladly re-transfer your data for you. **Data warranty excludes customer caused data loss such as scratches or damage to the disc itself. It is always wise to make a backup copy of your media to be stored in a separate location.

Order Online

If you are unable to conveniently reach one of our four locations, simply place your order online.